Page 36 of Crossing Lines

“Or what!” I taunted her as Stella and I finally got to our feet, me with Wayne’s help.

“It’s a good thing Stel is already pregnant. You might not be able to father a child after I’m done with you!”

I chuckled and moved toward her as she stood. I let her say goodbye to Ethan before Stella took him.

“Bye, AJ, thanks for stopping in. You can come back soon, when it’s just me and the baby. We can talk about things,” Stel said, shaking her head.

Stel was about to get up to no good; I just knew it. We both knew how much Chip liked AJ. Hell, everyone knew it. After the attack in the garage…yeah, we all knew. They’d had a big talk months later. I thought they were in a good place.

Maybe AJ didn’t see it fully for what it was, I didn’t know. But he was trying to make sure she figured it out. I’d given my blessing, but my best friend had already been giventhe talk. Friend or not, if he ever hurt my sister, I’d skin him alive and tie him to stakes in woods where no one would find his body. I’d leave him for the critters and bugs to eat.

“Bye, big brother.” I hugged her tight and patted Diesel’s head.

“Don’t let Chip aggravate you too much,” I teased.

“I should just let Diesel eat him.” She laughed as she walked out the door. I shook my head. I wasn’t sure if that was her just being playful or if she truly meant it. I followed the train of Malones to the kitchen. Stella laid the baby down in the pack-n-play, then washed her hands. I followed her lead. I washed my hands and sat down at the table, leaning my crutches up against the wall out of the way.

“Daddy, this smells amazing,” Stel stated, kissing his cheek. “Wait, today is Thursday, right? Why aren’t you at the gym?” She put the silverware out on the table, then the glasses.

“Gary went in for me. I’ll go in for the early morning tomorrow.” He moved two big platters to the table, and Carter set down another.

“Is this country fried steak?” Stella asked, flopping down into a chair.

Wayne nodded. “Sure is. Country fried steak with country gravy, hash brown casserole with extra cheese, and a platter of eggs.”

“Damn, if I didn’t love you before, I sure do now.” She was all but drooling. I chuckled and passed her a plate full of eggs and the steak. I took her empty plate, and for a moment I paused just to watch her enjoying her breakfast. Then I fixed my own.

“You just eat, princess. Feed my grandbaby. That’s all I need you to do.” He chuckled.

“Roger that.” We sat there for a moment, the three of us just watching her. When she noticed, she scowled. “Eat and stop watching me; I’m not a soap opera.”

Laughter filled the room before silence descended, and the only noises you heard were forks on a plate.

Chapter 15

Stella

My eyes crackedopen just as the bedroom door did. I’d been listening to Trace clomping around the house for about an hour. He’d been determined for us to come home, to his place, wherewecould relax. His reasoning was to get the baby settled in.

Truth was, the jerk wanted to be able to sex me up and not have to worry about anyone hearing us. We were adults. What’s a little moaning and grunting? Jesus.

I watched him jostle himself in. I had no clue what he was doing, and I was too tired to get up and see. I knew he’d call out if he needed help, so there was no worry there. I shifted as Trace came fully into view, fighting with his crutches.

Why this man had so much trouble with doorways, I’d never know. At least he was able to put some weight on his injured leg now. Not sure that was a good idea, but he was dead set on it. His leg, his choice. I’d just say ‘I told you so’ when he jacked it up again. He was slowly advancing on the leg, which was helping him balance when he moved around. Right now the idiot was trying to move around in the dark, and his crutch was going to get stuck on the chest. It happened last night too. He’d almost face planted. I didn’t want that again.

I pushed back the covers and slid from the bed, yawning as I said, “Let me help you, crazy. What were you doing out there anyway?” I moved to his side.

If he woke Ethan, I’d have to skin him. The little man had been gassy, which meant he and I had both been crying most of the day. Shelby said it was normal; I’d taken him in just to make sure. I might have been freaking out a little bit. Thankfully, after a few exercises that left him less windy and a lot more stinky, he’d taken a bottle and crashed. Which was why I was trying to sleep. No such luck with this crazy man stomping around.

“You should be asleep,” he grumped at me.

“Well, I was, until an elephant spent the last hour leading the rest of his herd through my house.” Okay, so, I was alotgrumpy tonight. Sue me.

“I’m sorry, love. I was trying to stretch my legs, and things kept getting in my way.” His lips pulled down in a frown. “This house is too damn small. We need to find something bigger. With a better yard.” He meant withayard. This sad excuse for a yard wasn’t even big enough to call a yard.

“What—” I tried to interject, but he kept right on going.

“Something over by your dad and the others. We’re on this side of town all by ourselves. It’s not a big town, but that’s beside the point. What if you go into labor and I’m not here? It could take them half an hour to get to you and get you to the doc’s office, or longer if you need to go to the hospital.”

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